French firm 'starting to see the ramp-up of our LNG as a fuel activity'.

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Updated on 19 Feb 2018 04:52 GMT

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has hailed 'a great start to the year' in terms of customer orders - since the start of 2018, the LNG tank specialist says it has received orders to equip one bunkering vessel and three LNG carriers (LNGCs).

Based in northern Europe, the bunker vessel will be specifically aimed at supplying LNG to CMA CGM's future container ships. The unit will be operated by the shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and chartered by Total's bunker supply subsidiary Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS). It is scheduled for delivery in 2020.

The three LNGCs, offering capacities ranging from 174,000 to 180,000 cubic metres, are to be built at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), and will be fitted with the Mark III Flex membrane containment system. Their deliveries are expected for 2020.

Furthermore, the latest evolution of the Mark III system, GTT's Mark III Flex+ technology, has been chosen to equip an LNGC already included in the company's order book. This Mark III variant is designed to provide a daily boil-off rate of 0.07%V.

Philippe Berterottiere, chairman and CEO of GTT, remarked: "A particularly satisfying and promising start to the year. We are pursuing our trust-based relationships with the major players of the LNG industry and are starting to see the ramp-up of our LNG as a fuel activity. We are helping to shape tomorrow's maritime world."